I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

I approach the tasks I'm responsible for with the attitude of "just getting the job done," never doing anything less, but never doing anything extra either.

He basically adopted a "hands-off" policy towards his subordinates, such as Nishino, rarely managing their daily behavior. As long as they didn't do anything too outrageous, he didn't interfere in their affairs.

Therefore, Toujou almost never actively participated in the "merit competition" with the "Arima Group." It was mainly his three subordinates, led by Nishino, who were very active in competing with the "Arima Group" for cases and political achievements.

It is precisely because the relationship with the "Arima Group" is not tense or hostile that Tojo is able to greet Arima so naturally now.

After exchanging a few simple pleasantries with Arima, Arima turned his gaze to Aoto, who was standing to the side.

"Tachibana-kun," Toujou said calmly to Aoto, "have the wounds you sustained fighting the 'radical anti-foreign faction' fully healed?"

"Thank you for your concern," Qingdeng said. "I'm perfectly fine now."

"That's good." Dongcheng's grin widened a little more. "You said you had turned over a new leaf... and it seems you really weren't lying."

"Now, no one can call you 'Dumbhead' anymore."

As Higashijo praised Aoto in a calm tone, Nishino, standing behind Higashijo, raised his eyes and cast a complicated look at Aoto.

The other two members of the "East City Group" also looked at Qing Deng with complicated expressions. Unlike Xi Ye, there was a hint of jealousy in their eyes...

Suddenly, at that moment—Usui's plump, white body hurriedly appeared from outside the room into the room.

Behind him followed a very thin middle-aged man—this man was the town magistrate of the South Gate: Atsukawa Chugoro.

The two "mayors of Edo City" rushed into the room, and Usui, who was walking in front, put on a stern face and said in a solemn voice:

"Quiet down, quiet down! Boss Ii is here! Everyone, sit down! Sit down!"

As soon as Bo Jing finished speaking, everyone in the council chamber immediately straightened up.

The hushed conversations turned into a cacophony of footsteps.

Suzui led the members of the Northern Bureau, kneeling on the west side of the council chamber, facing north.

Atsushi led the members of the Southern Bureau to kneel on the east side of the council chamber.

Once everyone was seated, the meeting room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The unusual silence was soon broken by the faint sound of a door being opened.

With a whoosh, the paper sliding door located in the north corner of the meeting room was slowly pulled open.

Upon seeing the door open, Usui and Atsukawa, who were kneeling at the front of the group, quickly lowered their heads, bent over, and placed their hands on the tatami mats.

Qing Deng and the others, who were sitting behind the two, quickly followed and bowed to the north side of the room, which was still just a wisp of air.

Because her head is drooping, all that can be seen in Aoto right now is the dark green tatami mat.

Although the eyes cannot see, the ears can hear.

Qingdeng heard several footsteps extending into the council chamber through the opened side door.

The footsteps stopped directly in front of them, then turned into the sound of someone lifting the hem of their clothes and sitting down on the ground.

"Straighten up, everyone."

A slightly hoarse voice clearly reached Qingdeng and the others' ears.

Qingdeng slowly moved his gaze upwards inch by inch.

Five more people had now appeared on the north side of the hall.

A middle-aged man with half black and half white hair and a short beard sat in the very center of the north side of the hall.

He casually crossed his legs, and his clothes were embroidered with the Ii family crest: an orange blossom.

Apart from this middle-aged man, the other four were all relatively young, with the oldest likely not exceeding 30 years old.

Three of the four men knelt solemnly on either side of the middle-aged man in the most standard posture. The only exception was the man who held a katana with red and black stripes from hilt to scabbard, and knelt on one knee behind the middle-aged man.

Wearing clothes embroidered with the Ii family crest, and with four young men respectfully attending to him—the identity of this middle-aged man was self-evident.

—Is this Ii Naosuke?

Aoto's gaze swept across the room, scrutinizing Ii Naosuke.

Almost everyone present who had never seen Ii Naosuke before, like Aoto, couldn't help but cast curious glances at him.

The first impression that Ii Naosuke gave to Aoto was that he was ordinary.

He had a neatly shaved head, was neither fat nor thin, and had neither ugly nor handsome features.

His face was not stern, and there was a faint smile on his lips and in his eyes.

At first glance, he looks like an ordinary middle-aged man.

He possessed neither an imposing aura nor a refined demeanor, nor the spirit of a martial artist.

Aoto felt that if Ii Naosuke were to change into ordinary clothes and walk the streets of Edo, he would be able to blend in perfectly with the crowd.

While Aoto and the others were still sizing up Ii Naosuke... Ii Naosuke spoke—

"I suppose... you all know who I am, right? So I won't waste time introducing myself."

Naosuke Ii spoke slowly, with a faint smile on his face.

"This is the first time I've met most of you."

"How about it? The famous Ii Naosuke, isn't he not as imposing as you imagined?"

Naosuke Ii spread his arms wide, striking a pose reminiscent of a "great roc spreading its wings," seemingly wanting everyone around him to see him more clearly.

“I often hear rumors that I am a person with a dignified appearance and an imposing presence.”

Ii Naosuke smiled and touched the short beard on his chin.

"Six months ago, I seriously considered whether I should cooperate with this rumor to make myself more dignified. If I could really make my face more dignified, it would make many things much easier."

"So I tried to grow my beard a bit longer."

"As a result, after growing a long beard, my dignity didn't increase; instead, I looked older, which led to my wife making fun of me."

Ii Naosuke's witty remark made many people in the hall laugh.

Qingdeng's lips couldn't help but curl up slightly.

The tense atmosphere inside the council chamber, which had been somewhat agitated by Ii Naosuke's appearance, immediately eased considerably.

"I don't like to talk about empty platitudes, and I don't have much time, so I'll get straight to the point."

Ii Naosuke cleared his throat lightly, and the smile on his face deepened.

“I have personally reviewed all the achievements you have made recently.”

"The achievements of many of you have truly impressed me."

"And the achievements of a few individuals... were so outstanding that I couldn't believe my ears when I first heard about them."

Having said that, Ii Naosuke raised his head and spoke in an even louder voice:

"Who is Ju Qing Deng?"

As soon as Ii Naosuke finished speaking, everyone in the room turned their heads and focused their attention on Aoto.

“Oh…” Ii Naosuke looked at Tachibana Aoto, who stood out even when kneeling because of his height, “You are Tachibana Aoto…”

Having said that, Ii Naosuke straightened up a little and then gestured towards him: "Tachibana Aoto, come forward."

Upon hearing Ii Naosuke's request to come forward, Aoto quickly responded loudly, "Yes," then rose from his seat, hurried to Ii Naosuke's side, and knelt down again.

“Tachibana-kun, I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time.” Ii Naosuke smiled slightly at Aoto. “You are much more handsome than I imagined.”

"When I first heard about your feat of 'defeating a powerful enemy on a snowy night,' I had to verify it with the person who came to report it to me several times before I was sure I hadn't misheard."

"Hehe... I haven't heard such exciting news in a long time."

"The shogunate will never mistreat anyone who has made outstanding contributions."

When he said this, Ii Naosuke deliberately tilted his head back and quickly glanced at the rest of the people in front of him, led by Usui and Atsukawa.

"As long as you achieve remarkable results, the reward you deserve will be plentiful."

After speaking, Ii Naosuke turned his head and glanced at a young man kneeling to his left.

After receiving a signal from Ii Naosuke, the young man nodded slightly and then took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his pocket.

After unfolding the paper, the young man held the left and right ends of the paper and read aloud the words written on it.

He began with a long and complicated opening statement in obscure language.

Then they began to report on Qingdeng's specific contributions and achievements in that "snowy night battle".

At this moment, a hint of anticipation could be faintly seen in Qingdeng's eyes.

Arima was right a few days ago; Ii Naosuke really was going to personally reward him in this "senior's test".

Just by listening to what the young man is reading, it is clear that the paper in his hand is an official document announcing what reward should be given to Qingdeng.

Because it is the most formal official document, this document refers to Qing Deng in his most formal name: "Juyuan Shengqing".

Everyone in the hall was now listening intently.

They were all very curious.

Curious about what kind of reward the shogunate would bestow upon Aoto.

After reading a long, tedious script that almost no one paid any attention to, the young man finally reached the end, reading what everyone had been waiting for—

"...In recognition of Tachibana Moriharu's merits, he is hereby awarded 50 taels of gold and a precious sword!"

—A treasured sword?

Qingdeng's brow twitched suddenly.

The others on the field also looked surprised.

At this moment, Ii Naosuke stood up.

He waved to the young man kneeling behind him on one knee.

The young man quickly presented the katana he had been holding, with its red and black hilt and scabbard, to Ii Naosuke with both hands.

"Tachibana-kun, this sword was forged by the master craftsman Shikisaki Kiyoshi."

Its name is: Stabilizing Ghosts and Gods!

Having said that, Ii Naosuke raised his hand and grasped the hilt of the sword that could pacify spirits—